Note 5 — Chapter XVIII · Governor Wright—1904

The peaceably inclined people of the barrios near here are collecting here in large numbers, terrorized by Pulajans who are boldly roaming the country, burning barrios within seven or eight miles from Catbalogan. They kill men, women, and children without distinction. These Pulajans have fled from Gandara where they are being actively pursued by constabulary. All forces that could be spared have gone out. We have about thirty available fighting men here. Pulajans liable at any time to enter Catbalogan. We are in danger of some occurrence quite as serious as the Surigao affair.5 There are buildings here which I must protect at all hazards—Treasury, Provincial Jail with ninety-five prisoners, and commissary and ordnance stores of constabulary. We need at once at least three hundred men, scouts if possible, to handle situation, between here and Gandara. Pulajans undoubtedly have friends in Catbalogan. I suspect certain of the municipal authorities here. I estimate number of Pulajans now operating at about five hundred.